James Johnson is currently the Bucs top performer with a 24th-place finish after first round play

Thursday, May 15, 2003

AUBURN, Ala. (May 15, 2003) - After one round of the NCAA East Regional at the Auburn University Club, the East Tennessee State men's golf team is still within striking distance of an all-important Top 10 finish and a bid to the NCAA Championships to be played May 27-30 in Stillwater, Okla. The Buccaneers shot a team score of 9-over-par 297 Thursday and are four strokes behind 10th-place Vanderbilt.

ETSU senior James Johnson (Barbados) led the Bucs with an even-par 72, finishing tied for 24th. Meanwhile, sophomore Cennydd Mills (Cardiff, Wales) placed in a tie for 45th at 2-over and freshman Derek McNamara (Galway, Ireland) ended the day tied for 55th at 3-over. Sophomore Chase Baldwin (Plant City, Fla.) and sophomore Jeremy Hobson (Thonotosassas, Fla.) rounded out the Bucs scoring with a 4-over 76 and 8-over 80, respectively.

Tennessee currently leads the field at 7-under, while South Alabama's Gareth Maybin is atop the individual leaderboard with a five-under 67. Second round play in the regional will continue today in Auburn.